Career Advice from: Farenheit 451

08.21.15

Last week, we pulled advice from the magical world of Harry Potter! This week, we’re switching gears and pulling lessons from the famous dystopian society of Fahrenheit 451. This classic novel is chock full of wisdom. Ray Bradbury… you know, the guy who predicted the future of our modern world of flat screen TVs, ear buds, social isolation, and ATMs…is the author of this famous dystopic novel where books are outlawed and burned. While it may contain a lot of social commentary from the 50’s, there’s still plenty of advice tucked away in there that can be applied to your work or school life! Check out our favorites:

“It doesn’t matter what you do…so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that’s like you after you take your hands away.”

Meaning: Let your identity show in your work. Whoever picks up your work should be able to tell that it was you who worked on it and can appreciate your style.

“When they give you lined paper, write the other way.”

Meaning: Don’t assume you should think within the box all the time. Defy the rules of things and think outside the box as much as possible to accomplish your goals.

“A lot of it will be wrong, but just enough of it will be right.”

Meaning: You are human and you will make mistakes. Don’t stress about it and keep working on it.

“Self-consciousness is the enemy of all creativity.”

Meaning: You are your own worst enemy when it comes to critique. Always try to be conscious of yourself but never let it inhibit your creativity and your work. Be bold!

Written by Guest Blogger, Dan H. of Emerson College

Be sure to check out the lessons we took away from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War too, and share with us what book you always turn to for wisdom @BNCollege or in the comments below!